Ukraine and European Allies Demand Role in Peace Talks Following Trump-Putin Call
Ukraine and several European nations have insisted on being part of any negotiations to end Russia’s war on Ukraine after U.S. President Donald Trump announced direct peace talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump’s announcement came after a phone call with Putin, during which they agreed to have their respective teams begin negotiations immediately to end the nearly three-year conflict.
Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, seeking to overthrow Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s government and annex large parts of Ukraine. The war followed Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea and support for separatist forces in eastern Ukraine. The Kremlin has consistently pushed to exclude Ukraine from negotiations, with Putin dismissing Zelenskyy as “illegitimate.”
Trump, in a social media post, expressed optimism, stating, “I think we’re on the way to getting peace.” However, he did not clarify whether Ukraine would be directly involved in the negotiations. Kyiv’s exclusion would mark a major shift from previous U.S. policy under former President Joe Biden, who maintained a “nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine” stance and refused to engage directly with Putin during the war.
Following his call with Putin, Trump also spoke with Zelenskyy. The Ukrainian leader stated that they discussed peace prospects, Ukraine’s readiness for negotiations, and the country’s technological advancements, including drones. Trump also indicated he would meet Putin in Saudi Arabia but did not specify a date.
Ukraine and key European nations swiftly responded, calling for a unified approach. A joint statement from the foreign ministers of France, Germany, Poland, Italy, Spain, the U.K., and the EU emphasized that “Ukraine and Europe must be part of any negotiations.” EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas reaffirmed on X that Ukraine’s sovereignty is “unconditional.”
Meanwhile, U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are set to meet Zelenskyy at the Munich Security Conference. Additionally, U.S. envoy Keith Kellogg will visit Germany, Belgium, and Ukraine as part of diplomatic efforts.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently stated that Ukraine is unlikely to fully reclaim Russian-occupied territories and will not receive NATO security guarantees as part of a peace deal. “The bloodshed must stop,” Hegseth declared, outlining the Trump administration’s vision for ending the conflict.
